December marked the birthday of Funmi Odutola, who took herself on a solo journey to Thailand. Having immigrated to the UK for university many years ago, her experience as a Nigerian in the UK stands in contrast to the newer arrivals. Once working in tech, she now sought healing and self-discovery.
While enjoying the sun at Khao Lak, she captured a personal video for herself, where she stated, “No amount of self-work that you’ve done for yourself can be lifted and transferred to another person,” while laughing at the absurdity of the moment.
In May, after reading Clarissa Pinkola Estés’s book Women Who Run With the Wolves, she revisited the video and decided to share it on Instagram as Chubby_Oddly. This act marked the beginning of her transformation into a social media content creator, focusing on trauma awareness, manipulation tactics, and personal healing.
Her audience grew rapidly, skyrocketing from a few thousand to over 53K users in a short span. She discussed important issues such as accountability, protecting one’s personal space, and navigating trust issues, receiving immense positive engagement from her followers.
“There was no pre-plan. This venture wasn’t meant to be a business; it just happened organically,” she reflected on her journey. Funmi shared how her shift from aspiring fashion influencer to prioritizing self-exploration and healing dramatically affected her life.
“I’ve transitioned from merely creating content to understanding that it’s an extension of my personal growth. I’ve been unlearning old beliefs and exploring my identity,” she explained.
Funmi refuted the notion of “being the bigger person” when faced with negativity, explaining that such language often serves to manipulate individuals into tolerating unhealthy dynamics for the sake of others’ comfort.
The inspiration for her videos comes from her experiences and reflections, often crafted into polished Reels using modern technology. Despite managing this alongside her full-time job, she maintains a disciplined approach to time and energy management, striving for a balance between professional and personal growth.
Through her community and the feedback she receives, Funmi has observed significant gaps in society’s education about emotional health, abuse, and manipulation, which often are not adequately taught in academic settings.
“What drives me is sharing my findings with as many people as possible, hoping it could become as common as core subjects in school,” she remarked.
Despite facing backlash, including accusations of promoting narcissism, Funmi remains focused on her mission. Acknowledging the challenges that come with engaging in such discussions, she has learned to cope with instances of content appropriation.
“When someone takes my content without credit, it’s frustrating. However, I’m aware this is part of the landscape I’m navigating,” she stated.
Looking ahead, Funmi aims to expand her platform beyond short videos. While uncertain about what’s next, she envisions possibilities like podcasts, blogs, and personal consultation sessions.
“For those interested, I’ll provide additional content that respects the authenticity of my work. Many possibilities are on the horizon,” she concluded.
ALSO READ: 25 Years in the Game: KCee on Evolution, Inventing Sound and Going Global
Comment